Iago in Shakespeare's Othello
analytical Essay
1388 words
William Shakespeare's Othello is a remarkable tale of trust, deceitfulness, lust and the most destructive of human emotions: vengeance and hatred. Iago better known as Othello's antagonist embodies vengeance and hatred to move an agenda to squash all who oppose Iago's plans. As defined by Merrium-Webster the definition of a protagonist is a principal character in a literary work or a leading actor, character, or participant in a literary work. Othello by Shakespeare is a play about Othello an example of a tragic hero with all figures centered around Othello as the protagonist yet, Othello has two main leading characters. Iago and Othello have stark contrasts as leading roles and different themes represented through the actions, words, and moral compass of both characters. As Othello plays out the audience finds that Iago is the driving force behind Othello and the cause for all chaos. Iago's thirst for vengeance due to feeling dissatisfied and passed over potential lieutenant position pushes Iago to ruin the lives of all associated with Othello. The thirst for vengeance drives Iago as Iago drives the plot achieving all goals and because of this Iago is the true protagonist of Othello.
Few characters in Shakespeare's plays outside of the leading "main" character ever are associated to actively pursue an agenda that destroys other characters lives. Charles III is well known as a Shakespearean bringer of chaos and Machiavellian figure however, he is dwarfed by Iagos malevolent nature. Iago is complex character that seeks the utter destruction of Othello emotionally and physically. Iago as a character is manipulative and secretive only revealing his inner workings to his audience through soliloquy and demonstrating his deceitful nat...
... middle of paper ...
...ves the characters. Iago is the protagonist of Othello through strong leading actions, strengths complimented through flaws, and a humor that manipulates the audience’s feelings.
Works Cited
Eguzoro, Jennifer. "AP Literature." : Othello Essay. Blog Spot, 3 Apr. 2011. Web.
Hull, Jim. "Narrative First." Chasing the Protagonist. Narrtive First, 1 Oct. 2011. Web.
Mishra, Rajnish. "Rajnishmishravns." Rajnishmishravns. Wordpress, 6 Dec. 2011. Web.
Portman, Jamie. "Iago and Othello." Http://www.branaghcompendium.com/artic-mong95.htm. N.p., 23 Dec. 1995. Web.
Shakespeare, William. Othello. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Houston: Barnesandnoble, 2011. Print. Revised.
Brown, Craig. "Shakespeare? He's Only in It for the Money." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 22 May 2013. Web.
West, Fred. Iago the Psychopath. Atlanta: South Atlantic Modern Language Association, 1978. Print.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how william shakespeare's othello is a remarkable tale of trust, deceitfulness, lust and the most destructive of human emotions: vengeance and hatred.
- Analyzes how iago is a complex character that seeks the utter destruction of othello emotionally and physically.
- Analyzes how iago has an interesting set of flaws and advantages showing characteristics of a psychopath. he has no positive moral compass and an unexplained desire to destroy friend or foe even after othello murders desdemona qualifies the character as psychotic
- Analyzes how shakespeare's plot in othello forms a bond with the audience that is relatable.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's protagonists share a common characteristic, which is reliability to the audience.
- Analyzes how iago is the protagonist of othello through strong leading actions, strengths complimented through flaws, and humor that manipulates the audience’s feelings.
- Quotes brown, craig, in "shakespeare? he's only in it for the money."
Related
- analytical
- Iago As The Villain In Shakespeare's Othelloanalytical essayThe classic antagonist in every story seeks to see the fruition of their devious plan, and would most likely be successful without the direct opposition of the protagonist. However, in Othello, rather than working against Othello, Iago gives an illusion of working with him in order to gain an advantage in the construction of his plot. Acting as a playwright within the play, Iago pushes and prods characters into the position that is most favorable to his final plan, which ultimately is to bring down Othello. In Iago, Shakespeare presents a villain who is not only able to construct elaborate schemes, but one who is also clever enough to disguise them with a façade that allows him to manipulate others.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how iago, acting as a playwright, prods characters into the position that is most favorable to his final plan, which ultimately is to bring down othello.
- Analyzes how iago is aware that other characters perceive him as an honest man with only the best of intentions for everyone. he plays the meek servant while influencing othello's worldview to serve his own gains.
- Analyzes how iago abuses others' trust in him in order to formulate his plans, yet he disguises it all under the façade of a caring friend.
- Analyzes how iago manipulates each character to the position that is most advantageous to him, but has no moral qualms about exploiting others' weaknesses.
932 wordsRead More - The Nature Of Evil In Othelloanalytical essayIn the play, Othello, written by William Shakespeare Iago is one of the most unique and interesting characters. Not only is Iago a main character, but he is also one of the most controversial, causing more drama and quarrels than any other character in the play. Shakespeare does a good job with the character of Iago by creating an atmosphere where Iago can keep the reader's attention on each and every individual scene throughout the entire play, as one tries to figure out Iago's true intentions. When reading the play it is easy for an individual to view Iago as an evil person who gets pleasure from malicious acts he inflicts upon others around him.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare creates an atmosphere where iago can keep the reader's attention on each and every scene throughout the entire play, as one tries to figure out his true intentions.
- Analyzes how iago's true intentions and attitude are uncovered in act one scene one, line sixty-seven when he says to roderigo, "i am not what i am."
- Analyzes how iago creates the look of a trustworthy person, but is actually manipulative and shrewd. in othello, he is the antagonist.
- Analyzes how iago lies to anyone and everyone in order to get what he wants. he is a compelling person, which is why othello gets caught up in him.
- Analyzes how waycaster 3 iago is remarkably good at manipulating othello through roderigo and brabanito so that the individuals whom he beguiles have no idea as to what his true intentions are.
- Analyzes how iago's evil, lying nature makes it effortless for him to manipulate roderigo to get what he wants from othello.
- Analyzes how iago hates othello, cassio, and the want for power. he believed he was a strong, capable candidate to feel the position of general's second in command.
910 wordsRead More - Othelloanalytical essayIn the story of Othello we see how the actions of one man go on to ruin the lives of multiple people. The villain Iago single-handedly creates the tragedy of Othello through his puppeteer like control of the other characters in the play. Iago captivates the audience as his plan progresses. Readers are anxious to know what will happen next in the play. What makes Iago so fascinating is his mysteriousness as a character, his fully devious ways, and how magnificently clever he is in organizing the demise of Othello.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the villain iago creates the tragedy of othello through his puppeteer like control of the other characters in the play.
- Analyzes how iago is a fascinating character because there is little known about him. he is married to desdemona's hand maiden, emilia.
- Analyzes how iago's clever and sly ways of manipulating his environment change him from a dislikeable villain to an almost anti-hero character.
- Analyzes iago's mystery behind his actions, fully evil intentions, and cunningness throughout shakespeare’s tragedy are what makes him a fascinating character to readers.
- Analyzes how iago, unlike many villains that shakespeare writes about, has zero remorse or morally redeeming characteristics. he uses roderigo for his fortunes to fund his attack on othello.
708 wordsRead More - A discussion of villains from the texts Othello, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Hamlet by William Shakespeareanalytical essayIn Shakespeare’s play Othello, Iago is the character that causes most of the problems in the play, and can be classified as the villain of the story. Iago is a character that is very jealous of Cassio and Othello because they hold positions that he believes he should have. He also believes that his wife has cheated on him with Othello. “Iago represents evil and cruelty for its own sake. He is deeply unpleasant and this is revealed to the audience in no uncertain terms in his numerous asides.” (Jameson) Iago is a character who acts different depending on what people he is around, obviously he is not going to say some of the same things when Othello or Cassio are around as he does when they are not there. “Even now, now, very now, an old black ram Is tupping your white ewe.”(1.1.91-92) Iago was very manipulative throughout the course of the play, and often got what he wanted by being this way. “Iago is consumed with envy and plots to steal the position he feels he most justly deserves. Iago deceives, steals, and kills to gain that position.” (Jarret) Iago is a classical type of villain that is the root of all probl...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that shakespeare wrote many plays that had villains or protagonists in them, which appealed to the audience to sit and watch.
- Analyzes how iago is the villain of shakespeare's play othello. he represents evil and cruelty for its own sake.
- Analyzes how puck, or robin goodfellow, can be thought of as a villain even though he isn't purposefully doing wrong in shakespeare's play midsummer night’s dream.
- Analyzes how claudius, from the text hamlet, is the most awful evil villain of the three texts discussed. he does something awful to the king, which is also his brother, just so he can become the king of denmark.
- Explains that shakespeare wrote many plays that had villains or protagonists in them, including iago, puck, and claudius. each play has its own villain, or evil character.
- Describes the works of jameson, lee, jarret, brittney, lopez, vincente, and amanda mabillard.
725 wordsRead More - Iago, The Villain In Shakespeare's Othelloanalytical essayIago, the villain in Shakespeare’s Othello, is a character that builds up anger throughout the play. As the play continues, Iago seeks to destroy all those in his path. However, it is not clear what motivates Iago to go as far as he does. When he has destroyed Cassio’s reputation he could have secured his partnership with Othello and lived on happily. Instead of being happy to take Cassio’s position, Iago wants to mess up Othello’s life by tricking him into thinking Desdemona has cheated on him. This random desire to destroy others’ lives is a huge part of Iago’s character.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how iago, the villain in shakespeare's othello, builds up anger throughout the play. he seeks to destroy all those in his path, but it is not clear what motivates him to go as far as he does.
- Analyzes how iago's motivation to mess with the other characters comes from. he feels like he needs to get even with othello for cheating with his wife.
- Analyzes how iago's lack of self-understanding proves to the reader that he is an evil character with no self understanding.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses the other characters cluelessness to reveal the true traits of disloyal iago.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's othello revolves around iago’s character, which fuels the tragic elements and reveals his true self and deep thoughts more than any other character.
523 wordsRead More - The Character of Iago in Shakespeare's Othelloanalytical essayThe Character of Iago The old cliché "One bad apple ruins the bunch" is what enters one's mind when discussing the villainous, deceitful, protagonist Iago in Shakespeare's tragedy "Othello. " It is amazing how one person alone can completely destroy, or deteriorate a group of good natured, trusting, loyal peoples' lives in a matter of days- three to be exact. What is the motive behind Iago's heinous, selfish acts, one may ask? A rather obvious theme in the Shakespeare's tragedy, "Othello", is that of the many facets of jealousy, which instigate the evil-doings of protagonist, Iago.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the villainous, deceitful protagonist iago in shakespeare's "othello" is a prime example of jealousy, which instigates the evil-doings of protagonist.
- Analyzes how iago's evil plot against othello is deepened by his accomplishments and role he holds within his state.
- Analyzes how iago plots to use handsome, charming, sincere, and extremely loyal cassio as a ploy to make othello believe he is out to get his true love and devoted wife, desdemona.
- Analyzes how iago's deception has run very deep, but it is unparalleled in the torment that he causes dear, sweet desdemona.
- Analyzes how the tragic ending of "othello" shows the unfortunate consequence of jealousy, lies, and deceit.
- Describes the works of maurice charney and bruno leone, who published shakespeare: reflections on the tragedies.
1138 wordsRead More - Shakespeare's Othello - Iagoanalytical essayOthello’s Iago We find in William Shakespeare’s tragic play Othello an example of personified evil. He is the general’s ancient, Iago, and he wreaks havoc and destruction on all those under his influence. Louis B. Wright and Virginia A. LaMar in “The Engaging Qualities of Othello” comment on how the character of Iago is the wholly expected type of villain for an Elizabethan audience: Iago at once captures the attention of the spectator. He is the personification of the villain that Elizabethans had come to expect from Italian short stories and from Machiavellian commentary.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how william shakespeare's tragic play, othello, is an example of personified evil. iago is the expected type of villain for an elizabethan audience.
- Analyzes how iago's words paint him for what he is. robert di yanni in "character revealed through dialogue" states that the evil antagonist reveals his character through his speech.
- Analyzes how iago's language reveals his coarseness; he crudely reduces sexual love to animal copulation. the remainder of the scene shows the consequences of his speech, its power to inspire action.
- Analyzes how david bevington in william shakespeare: four tragedies enlightens us on the ancient: iago's machinations yield him both "sport" and "profit"
- Analyzes how blanche coles comments on the mental illness that appears to afflict the despicable iago in shakespeare's four giants.
- Opines that modern critics, who have had the advantage of the study of abnormal psychology, accept iago for anything but what shakespeare intended him to be — a psychopathic personality.
- Analyzes how iago's psychopathic personality is seen early in the play. he manipulates the wealthy roderigo into awakening the senator brabantio and utters offensive smutty lines about a black ram and white ewe.
- Analyzes how desdemona and emilia are lounging about at the port in cyprus awaiting the arrival of the moor’s ship.
- Analyzes how iago's clever machinations cause grief for every character who has continued contact with him. he deceives roderigo about the affections of desdemona.
- Analyzes how iago's treachery is repulsed by othello and his young wife in the council chamber at venice before the duke as judge.
- Analyzes how iago's self-seeking, destructive psychopathic condition creates not only physical violence, but also mountains of mental anguish, for those around him.
- Opines that they had been happy if the general camp, pioners and all, had tasted her sweet body. farewell the tranquil mind!
- Analyzes how iago has included the desire for revenge in his indoctrination of the general.
- Analyzes how iago is so in control of the general’s contorted mind that he specifies that the moor should kill desdemona.
- Analyzes how roderigo merits the full punishment of the law, administered by his arch-enemy michael cassio, the new "lord governor."
- Analyzes how the audience laments that othello didn't heed his original evaluation of the ancient in the "temptation scene."
- Cites shakespeare, william, and virginia a. lamar's "the engaging qualities of othello" in the electric shakespeare.
1668 wordsRead More - Impact of Relationships Upon the Themes of Shakespeare's Othelloanalytical essayIago is Othello's ensign, and the main villain of the play. He hoped to be promoted to the position of lieutament, but Othello chose Cassio over him. To get revenge, he brings forth a plot to convince Othello that Cassio and Desdemona, are having an affair. Iago is truly evil, and cares only about himself.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the impact of the relationship between othello, iago and cassio upon the themes of odello.
- Analyzes how the themes of jealously, betrayal, and appearance vs. reality are reinforced throughout the play in iago's evil plot.
- Analyzes how the relationship between othello, iago and cassio is like a triangle where even though they are three different characters, they're connected.
- Analyzes how othello is a moorish general and head of the army of venice. he is honest and loves his wife desdemona very much.
- Analyzes how iago fools othello and everyone else into believing he is an honorable man and loyal friend to punish him for not promoting him to lieutenant.
- Analyzes how othello, iago, desdemona, cassio, emilia and roderigo get to cyprus, where they are envious of each other.
- Analyzes how othello begins to feel the effects of iago's plan in act iii. cassio is anxious to get his lieutenancy back, so he asks desdemona for help.
1341 wordsRead More - Iago's charachter in Shakespeare's Othelloanalytical essayEssay on Iago The world is full of bad people who get pleasure from hurting others physically and emotionally. They feel the need to use and belittle other people because of their insecurities. In Shakespeare’s Othello, the villain, Iago, is a perfect example. He manifests his goal right from the beginning.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's othello is a perfect example of bad people who get pleasure from hurting others physically and emotionally. iago manifests his goal right from the beginning.
- Analyzes how iago wants revenge, to be powerful and recognized by society, and loves to manipulate others. he wanted to become othello lieutenant to gradually become more powerful.
- Describes iago as a jealous, envious, and selfish person who aggravates other people's lives. he is jealous of cassio because he is the one that was promoted to lieutenant.
- Analyzes how iago's persona is seen differently depending on how far you are in the book. the rumor about othello sleeping with his wife makes the audience feel sympathy for him.
- Concludes that iago's true personality is nothing but friendly and well-intentioned. he is an evil person who will do anything to bring down the moor and get his revenge.
500 wordsRead More - othelloanalytical essayOthello being a Moor commanding the armies of Venice is a celebrated general and heroic figure whose “free and open nature “ will enable Iago to twist his love for his wife, Desdemona into a powerful jealousy. Iago is Othello’s ensign, and Shakespeare’s greatest villain. His public face of honesty and bravery conceals a satanic delight in manipulation and destruction. .
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's play, othello, was based on giraldi cinthios' tale of a moor and his doubts about his wife’s fidelity.
- Analyzes how othello is a celebrated general and heroic figure whose "free and open nature" will enable iago to twist his love for his wife, desdemona, into powerful jealousy.
- Analyzes how iago deceives othello and induces him to fall. he expands the tactics used in prior scenes.
- Analyzes how iago's honesty is reinforced by the moralizing tone he takes with his commander. he lectures othello about his jealousy and his insecurities. the seizure of the handkerchief is a great achievement.
- Analyzes how shakespeare transforms emilia into a voice of moral outrage, but for now she is iago’s accomplice. othello's accusations and refusal to accept desdemona are brutal and unfair.
- Analyzes how othello is terribly wrong, but shakespeare demands that we sympathize with his error. his words as he prepares to murder desdemona reveal the extent to which iago’s logic dominates his own thinking.
- Analyzes how the actual murder is one of the most painful scenes in all of shakespeare's plays, because of desdemona’s manifest innocence, beauty, and purity.
- Analyzes how othello passes judgment on himself with the courage we would expect from a military hero and loyal general, and kills himself just as he once killed the enemies of venice.
864 wordsRead More